Seed planter

ABSTRACT

A seed dispenser for a planter including a drum with a shell at the periphery with openings in which seeds are held by positive air pressure within the drum, while moving air within the drum sweeps away all excess seeds from the openings, and seed discharge tubes receiving seeds from said openings and carrying the seeds out of the drum by the air under pressure in the drum.

nied States Patent Loeseh et at.

SEED PLANTER Inventors: Leo J. Loesch; Claude E. Loesch, both ofKimball, Minn. 55353 Filed: June 25, 1969 App]. No: 836,480

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 684,357,Nov. 20, 1967, abandoned, which is a continuation-impart of Ser. No.599,792, Dec 7, 1966, abandoned.

u.s.c1 ..221/211,222 167,222 194, 302/2 1111.01 B651; 15/02 Field ofSearch .221/21 1, 266, 167, 194; 294/64; 222/220, 221, 222, 223, 194,16?;209/113, 86; 302/2 1451 Jan. 25, 1972 [561 References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 1,997,791 4/l935 Hoberg et a1]. .122/222 X 2,479,5348/1949 Bergh et al ..222/221 X FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 802,89910/1958 Great Britain ..22l/2ll Primary Examiner-Robert B. ReevesAssistant Examiner- Francis J. Bartuska AltorneyWilliamson, Palmatier &Bains ABSTRACT A seed dispenser for a planter including a drum with ashell at the periphery with openings in which seeds are held by positiveair pressure within the drum, while moving air within the drum sweepsaway all excess seeds from the openings, and seed discharge tubesreceiving seeds from said openings and carrying the seeds out of thedrum by the air under pressure in the drum.

40 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN25L972 SEW M Q INVENTORS LEOc/ LOESCH, GL4 00515 405% PMENTEU mzmeiz 3:637 108 INVENTORS LEO c/ 10556, CLAUDE E LOESCH SEED PLANTER CROSS-REFERENCES This application isa continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 684,357filed Nov. 20, 1967, now abandoned and entitled Seed Planter, and of ourearlier copending application Ser. No. 599,792, filed Dec. 7, 1966, nowabandoned.

PRIOR ART The closest prior art is US. Pat. No. 2,960,258 and GreatBritain Pat. No. 802,899, published Oct. 15, I958.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION The seed planter employs the dispenser fordischarging a succession of seeds to be evenly spaced upon planting. Asupply of seeds is carried in the bottom of the rotating drum wherein apositive air pressure, aboveambient, is maintained. The peripheral wallof the drum has openings therein, which, in most instances, will bediscrete, apertures wherein corn seeds or kernels are lodged and held bythe air pressure, and carried upwardly as the drum rotates. Theperipheral wall is recessed about each aperture to minimize thelikelihood of more than one seed lodging at the aperture. The openingsin the shell or peripheral wall of the drum may also be elongate,circumferentially extending slots for carrying certain seeds which areto be dispensed in rapid succession as for close spacing in the ground;an example being soybean seeds. Rapidly moving air is swept across theupwardly moving peripheral wall and seeds to carry away any excessseeds. In one form the drum has a double wall peripheral shell to carrysuch air, and in another form, such air is directed against the singleshell from an adjacent manifold or nozzle. The inlet ends of stationaryseed discharge tubes in the drum confront the peripheral wall at the topof the drum, and the air under pressure moves rapidly outwardly throughthe tubes, carrying seeds from the drum for planting. The sweep ofairiinto the tubes dislodges and carries the seeds therewith; and, as anaid to dislodging the seeds, the. apertures may be closed by soft,inflated rollers on the outside of the wall; or streams of air may bedirected into the apertures from outside the drum; or apertures may beclosed and the seeds moved out of the apertures by pins. Additionally,where the openings take the form of circumferential slots, a finger ineach of the slots may lift the seeds therefrom.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and novel dispensingapparatus wherein pressure differentials are provided adjacent anopening in a carrier wall so as to provide airflow through the wall andprovide airflow in multidirections adjacent the periphery of the openingfor sweeping away excess seeds carried thereby.

A further object of our invention is to provide a new and noveldispenser for flowable material wherein the small quantities of theflowable material are isolated from the supply of material and carriedupwardly on the interior of a rotary drum and then deposited in the openend of discharge tubes through which the flowable material is dischargedby movement of pressurized air maintained within the drum.

Still another object of our invention is the provision of a novel seedplanter incorporating a dispenser for isolating single seeds from thesupply by use of flowing air and seating of the seed in an opening of acarrier and subsequently releasing the seeds and discharging theseedsthrough tubes under influence of the pressurized air maintainedwithin the drum.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in assembly witha planting apparatus and being towed by a farm tractor.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail section view taken at 2-2 of FIG. 1 and ona vertical plane through the dispenser apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail or elevation view taken approximately at3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail section view taken approximately at 4-4 inFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a very. greatly enlarged dletail section view showing a seedcarried for dispensing and also showing the air flow patterns adjacentthe seed.

FIG. 6 is an end elevation view of the drum of another form of theinvention with the single wall shell at the drum periphery.

FIG. 7 is a detail section view taken approximately at 7-7 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail section view of one of the apertures in theperipheral wall of the drum.

FIG. 9 is a detail section view taken approximately at 9-9 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged detail section view taken approximately at 10-10in FIG. 9. 1

FIG. 11 is a detail section view of a portion of the drum peripheralwall and illustrating a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a detail section view taken approximately at 12- 12in FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is a detail view of the inside surface of the drum periphery andillustrating another modified form of the invention.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged detail section view taken approxi mately at 14-14in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a detail section view taken approximately at 15- '15 in FIG.14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION One form of the present invention is shown in thedrawings and is described in FIG. 1-6.

Where herein either the words seed or small article" are used, saidwords are intended to'include field seeds such as corn and small grainssuch as wheat, oats, etc., and said words are also intended to includeequivalent type articles of similar size and flowability such as pillsand capsules, and various types of pellets including a fabricatedagglomerate of various materials pressed and dried in a substantiallypredetermined shape.

The planter is indicated in general by the numeral lo and includes aframe structure 11 supported by ground wheels 12 and attached to thedrawbar D of a tractor T. The planter 10 includes a plurality of diggingshoes 13 for producing small furrows in the ground into which seeds areto be individually dropped; and furrow-closing discs 14 disposedimmediately behind the digging shoes 13.

The planter [0 also has a plurality of seed conveying tubes or hoses 15,each having a discharge end supported by a the ture 16 immediatelybehind a corresponding shoe 13. The planter 10 also has a seed hopper 17affixed to the frame thereof.

A seed dispenser is indicated in general by numeral 18 and is carriedupon the planter 10 to receive seeds from the hopper 17 for dischargingthe seeds into the discharged tubes 15, one at a time. The dispenser isillustrated in detail in FIGS. 2-5, and is provided with rotary powerfrom the axle 12a of the ground wheels 12 from which rotary power issupplied through a chain drive mechanism within the guard 12b, and shaft19, a speed changing gearbox 20 from which rotary power is applied tothe dispenser by shaft 2!.

The dispenser 18 includes a housing 22 afiixed to the frame 11 of theplanter, and the housing 22 has a removable front cover 23 providingaccess to the rotary seed-isolating drum, which is indicated in generalby numeral 24.

The dispensing drum 24 has a pair of rigid, circular end plates 25 and26 which are affixed to each other as by a plurality of tie rods 27spaced from each other around the periphery of the drum. The end plate25 is affixed to and supported by shaft 21, by means of the clamping nut21a threaded onto the shaft.

The drum 24 has an annular wall or seed carrier 28extending around theentire periphery thereof, and affixedto both end walls and 26. Theperipheral wall 28 has a plurality of seed carrying openings orapertures 29 therein, and it will be noted that the peripheral wall 28is recessed inwardly as at 290 adjacent the periphery of each of theopenings 29 therein. Except for the openings 29, the peripheral wall 28of the drum is imperforate so as to facilitate retaining of air pressurewithin the interior 30 of the drum.

The dispenser 18 is provided with a stationary wall structure 31adjacent the annular, rotary end wall 26. The wall structure 31 includesa rigid imperforate annular plate 32 which overlies the outer surface ofthe end wall 26, and a sealing ring 33 is attached to the plate 32 as byscrews 33a. The sealing ring 33 provides an air sealing relationship tothe end plate 26. A cover plate 34 is affixed to the annular plate 32and may be removed therefrom by loosening the mounting screws 34a.

It is important to note that the wall structure 31, including plate 32,sealing ring 33, and cover 34, is stationary while the end wall 26 isrotatable with the drum 24. The wall structure 31 is retained instationary position by fastening the wall structure to the housing as bythe threaded screw 35 which secures the cover 23 of the housing to theplate 32, and maintains the spaced relation by a spacer block 36. Thedrum 24 may thereby rotate under influence of the drive shaft 21 so asto revolve the end wall 26 relative to the stationary plate 32 andsealing ring 33, while maintaining an air sealing relationship at theinner periphery of the annular end wall 26. Of course, any suitable formof air sea] may be provided between the rotary end wall 26 and thestationary structure.

The upper end of the seed discharging hoses are connected in opencommunication to the ends of rigid tubes 37 which are mounted on andaffixed to the cover plate 34 and project into the interior 30 of thedrum. The inner seed receiving ends 37a of the tubes 37 face upwardlyand are aligned with each other beneath a row of seed carrying openings29 in the peripheral wall 28 so as to receive the seeds S carriedthereby. The open seed receiving ends 37a are disposed immediatelybeneath the location at which release of the seeds from the openings isobtained.

A seed supply spout 39 also projects through and is affixed in the coverplate 34 adjacent the lower periphery of the drum 24. The supply spout39 is connected to the seed hopper 17 to receive seeds therefrom,thereby maintaining a continuous supply of seeds in the lower portion ofthe revolving drum 24.

The cover 34 also has an air inlet conduit 40 affixed thereon andconcentric of the axis of drum 24. It will be noted that the conduit 40directs inflowing air along and parallel to the axis of the drum, asindicated by the arrows A. Air is supplied to the conduit 40 from ablower or fan 40a mounted on the frame 11 of the planter 10 and isdriven by a suitable source of rotary power 41a for stepping up thespeed of rotation and receiving the power from the ground drive wheels12 and through the variable speed gearbox 20. The blower creates an airpressure differential in the interior 30 of the drum as compared withthe atmosphere whereby to normally produce an outward flow of airthrough the openings 29 in the peripheral wall 28, and to seat andretain the seeds S in the openings 29, substantially as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 5.

The air pressure initially seats the seeds S in the openings 29 as theopenings pass beneath the tumbling supply of seeds maintained in thelower peripheral portions of the drum 24. The pressure of the airretains the seeds as they are carried upwardly during revolving of thedrum. The supply of seeds in the lower periphery of the drum ismaintained at a depth such that the level of the top of the supply ofseeds is approximately adjacent the lower discharge end of the supplyspout 39 which is normally continuously full of seeds and will supplyseeds into the drum when the level of seeds decreases. The seed hopper17 will be noted to have a lid on it to minimize the possibility ofescape of air pressure through the seed hopper.

Means are provided for preventing clustering of seeds around theperiphery of each of the openings 29 as the drum is revolved and as theopenings 29 move upwardly and out of the supply of seeds in the lowerportions of the drum, and such means produces an air pressuredifferential adjacent the periphery of each of the openings 29 wherebyto cause flow of air in multiple directions, around and across theperiphery of the openings 29 and also in a direction generally along theseed S seated in the opening and away from the peripheral wall 28 andtoward the interior 30 of the drum 24, substantially as illustrated byarrows B in FIG. 5. Such means includes an inner peripheral wall 41 inclosely spaced and confronting relation with the peripheral wall 28, andhaving a plurality of openings of apertures 42, each aligned with arespective opening 29 in the outer peripheral wall 28. it will be notedthat the apertures 42 are concentric with and substantially larger thanthe openings 29, and further, that the inner wall of 41 is recessed ortapered conically at 42a adjacent the periphery of each of the apertures42 so that the peripheries of each of the openings 29 and itscorresponding aperture 42 are in closely spaced relation and very nearlyon a common plane. As a result of the conically recessed portions 29aand 42a of the peripheral wall 28 and the inner confronting wall 41, theannular air manifold space 43 between the walls has a substantial aircarrying capacity to deliver the proper amount of air to the apertures42 for sweeping away the excess seeds which may be clustered adjacentthe seed S and against the plate 41 around the periphery of the aperture42. The tapered area 29a in the peripheral wall 28 facilitates theapproach of the air from the manifold area 43 so that the air willtraverse the periphery of opening 29 and through the aperture 42 in theproper direction of arrow B so as to sweep away the excess of seedswhich may tend to cling around the seed S. The tapered peripheralportion 42a around each of the apertures 42 also prevents wedging ofextra seeds into the aperture 42 adjacent the seed S and thereby removalof the excess seeds which may tend to cling is made substantiallyeasier.

One side edge of the inner apertured wall 41 is affixed to a rigidsupporting ring 44 affixed to the end wall 26. The other side edge ofthe apertured annular wall 41 is affixed to the outer marginal edge of acircular rigid panel 45 lying parallel to and in confronting relationwith the end wall 25 of the drum, and thereby defining an annular airconduit or manifold space 46 in open communication with the manifoldspace 43 around the entire periphery of the drum 24 for supplying airunder pressure thereto. The panel 45 is rigidly affixed to the end wall25 of the drum by a plurality of clamping bolts 47 with spacer sleeves47a thereon.

The panel 45 has a large opening 48 concentric of the rotation axis ofthe drum 24 and aligned with the stream of air flowing in the directionof arrow A from the inlet conduit 40. A screen 49 having large openingstherein overlies the opening 48 and prevents seed S from passing throughthe opening 48 into the manifold areas 46 and 43. The screen 49 isretained by clamping ring 50 affixed to the panel 45.

The panel 45 may carry a valve plate 51 to swing into overlying relationwith the opening 48 and to thereby partially close the opening 48,whereby to adjust the quantity of air passing into the manifold areas 46and 43. The plate 51 is affixed to a rotary hub 52 extending through theend wall 25 and having a handle 53 affixed thereto to facilitateadjustment of the position of the plate 51 from outside the drum 24. Anopening 22a may be provided in the housing to facilitate obtainingaccess to the handle 53.

As an aid to the sweep of air for carrying the seeds into the tubes 37,means are provided for obtaining release of the seeds S from theopenings 29 in the peripheral wall 28 as the openings and seeds passover the upper ends 37a of the discharge tubes. In the form shown, suchmeans include a plurality of release pins 54, each disposed outwardly ofand in alignment with a respective opening 29 in the peripheral wall 28.Whereas the openings 29 are oriented in a plurality of rows in the outerwall 28, and wherein the rows are spaced from each other around theperiphery of the wall 28, a plurality of the release pins 54 aresupported in side-by-side relation on mounting arms 55 affixed andsupported on shafts 56. The shafts 56 are mounted on the end walls 25and 26 for rocking oscillation and are spaced from each other around theperiphery of the drum 24 for operating the release pins,54 at each rowof openings 29 in the outer wall 28. The arms 55 are welded or otherwiseafflxed to the shafts 56, and each of the arms 55 has a threaded sleeve57 into which the threaded shank 54a of a corresponding release pin 54is adjustably mounted. Lock nuts 58 are provided on the threaded shanksof the release pins for locking against the threaded sleeves 57 andretaining the release pins 54 in predetermined position. Each of therelease pins 54 also carries a resilient rubber sleeve 59 for engagingthe peripheral wall 28 adjacent the opening 29 when the pin 54 engages aseed in the opening.

Each of the shafts 56 is continuously urged in a clockwise direction asviewed in FIG. 4 by a coil spring 60 thereon. One end of the coil springis anchored at a pin 61 on the end plate 25 of the drum, and the otherend of the spring has a hook 60a formed therein and attached to thefirst adjacent arm 55, tending to swing the arm 55 and the release pin54 toward the drum periphery.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the shafts 56 has an operating arm 62affixed thereon adjacent the end plate 26. Each of the operating arms 62has a cam follower 63 facing inwardly against a stationary cam 64 whichis affixed to the plate 32 as by screws 64a. The cam 64 has a cam edge65 which extends around the entire periphery of the drum 24, and isprovided with a step or shoulder 65a positioned with respect to theupper ends 37a of the discharge tubes so that, as the drum 24 revolvesin the direction of arrow R, the cam followers 63 move over the step 65aand the spring. 60 will thereupon rock the corresponding shaft 56 andswing all of the release pins thereon into engagement with the seeds inthe corresponding row in the drum periphery. In order to provide thenecessary adjustability in locating the step 65a in relation to theproper release point for the seeds carried by the drum, the cam mountingpanel 32 is provided with an elongate and arcuate slot 32a through whichthe clamping screw 64a extends. By simply loosening the clamping screws64a, the cam 64 may be rotatably adjusted so as to obtain the release ofthe seeds from the drum periphery at the proper instant. Also byshifting the cam 64, it is possible to render the dispenser inoperative,as may be desired under certain circumstances. In order to render thedispenser inoperative in this way, the shoulder or step 65a is merelypositioned so that the seeds which are released from the openings 29 inthe drum periphery, simply miss the tubes when they are released.

It will be noted that the cam edge 65 is formed to very smoothly andgradually swing the cam'followers 63 outwardly from the rotation axis ofthe drum as the drum and the cam followers revolve so as to retract therelease pins 54 from the openings 29 as the openings 29 revolvedownwardly to the seed supply to pick up an additional seed. The pins54, together with the resilient sleeves 59 substantially close theopenings 29 after the seeds have been released so as to avoidsubstantial loss of air through these openings.

It should be recognized that when the release pins swing inwardlyagainst the seeds and into the openings 29, the seeds are physicallypushed inwardly which provides certain advantages although it isrecognized that other seed release devices, such as soft resilientrollers (see FIGS. 6, 7, 9) for rolling on the drum periphery at therelease point may provide physical pushing of the seeds out of theholes, or may simply provide an air seal across the opening to reducethe air differential which holds the seeds in the openings, or both.Such rollers may or may not have nibs projecting from the periphery.Other similar devices might be used for urging the seeds out of theopenings, such as movable seed urging pins or actuators mountedstationary to the frame of the machine and triggered or cam operated inaccordance with the movement of the drum.

The pins 54 on the arms 55 and operated by the cam 64 has certainly theadvantage of the accurate location of the pins with respect to theopenings 29 for properly engaging the seeds in each ofthe openings.

In operation, the planter is drawn along the field with a supply ofseeds in the hopper 17, which provides an immediate supply of seeds inthe lower peripheral portion of the drum 24. Movement of the groundwheels 12 along the ground produces revolving of the drum 24 andoperation of the blower 40a. A stream of air is directed from theconduit 40 into the interior 30 of the drum and along the rotation axisof the drum in the direction of arrow A. The main thrust of the streamof air is into the conduit or manifold area 46 adjacent the screen 49.Air pressure differentials are created in the interior 30 of the drumwith respect to the atmosphere or exterior, and in the manifold areas 43so as to produce an airflow outwardly through the openings 29, whichholds the seeds S in the openings 29 of the outer wall 28. In thedrawings the seeds are intended to be kemels of corn which are generallyrectangular, but certainly not circular in shape in most cases. Smallquantities of air continue to flow outwardly through the openings 29 andadditional air acting in this same outward direction causes the seeds Sto seat and be held in the openings 29 as illustrated in the drawings.The outward flowing air produces a dust removing and cleaning effect atthe outside of drum 24. The air differentials also produce the airflowfrom the manifold areas 43 and into the interior 30 of the drum in thedirection of arrows B so as to move the air around the seeds S which areseated in the openings 29 and along such seeds and transversely of saidseeds in multidirections and thereby any excess seeds from the supply inthe lower portion of the drum are removed by this air traveling from themanifold areas into the interior spaces 30 of the drum. Because of theshape of the portions 42a of the inner wall of 41, there will be nowedging of seeds to the degree which causes locking or seating of seedsadjacent the seed which is actually confined in the opening 29.

As a result, the seeds are carried upwardly at the openings 29 as thedrum 24 revolves. As the seeds approach the area of the discharge tubes37, the corresponding cam follower 63 is approaching the step 65a on thecam 64, and as the row of openings 29 are aligned with the severaldischarge tubes 37 the cam follower 63 moves off the step 65a and causesthe release pins to move inwardly under influence of spring 60 and urgethe seeds out of the openings 29 and in an inward direction toward thedischarge tube. The air pressure within the interior 30 of the drum iscontinuously producing a flow of air into the inner ends 37a of thetubes as indicated by arrows C, and this continuous flow of air in thedirection of arrows C changes the airflow currents adjacent the openings29 and seeds S at the tubes to assist in releasing and carrying theseeds away from the opening 29 and into the discharge tubes, whereuponthe seeds are carried outwardly from the drum 24 and through the hoses15 to be planted in the furrows behind the shoes I3.

The use of the discharge tubes 37 with the air from the pressurizedinterior of the drum for carrying the material delivered to the upperand open inner ends of the discharge tubes to an exterior location wheresuch material is desired for deposit is useful without regard to themanner in which the physical material is delivered to the tubes on thedrum periphery. This discharge method, using the tubes and thepressurized air flowing outwardly therethrough .is useful even thoughthe material may be delivered by means: of a fine mesh screen or fabricas in the case of a finely powdered or ground, dustlike material. As therelease pins 54 urge the seeds out of the openings 29, the release pinstogether with the sleeves 59 essentially close the openings 29 tominimize the loss of air pressure within the drum. The openings 29 movedownwardly as the drum revolves and pass beneath the supply of seeds inthe bottom area of the drum and thereby pick up additional seed fordelivery to the discharge tubes 37' again.

It may be desirable, depending on the nature of the seeds S beinghandled, to adjust the amount of airflow through the manifold spaces 46and 43, and the valve plate 51 may be adjusted partly across the opening48 in the panel 45 whereby to decrease the amount of air pressure:differential adjacent the periphery of the openings 29.

Although the illustrations show the seeds S to be kernels of corn, thisapparatus is well adapted for handling a wide variety of seeds,including small grains such as oats, wheat, and various row crops whichare to be planted one seed at a time and in a furrow to be lightlycovered with soil. With various seeds of various types, it may benecessary to utilize a drum with the proper size openings 29.

It will be seen in FIGS. 1-5 that we have provided a new and novelplanting device utilizing a dispenser for isolating seeds and handlingthe seeds one at a time for delivery to the desired point of use orplanting. The isolating of the single seeds is accomplished by creatingpressure differentials adjacent the openings in which the seeds arecarried and thereby producing a flow of air through the openings forseating the seeds and a reverse or transverse flow of air around theperiphery of the openings and seeds for sweeping away the excess seedswhich might otherwise form in clusters. The single seeds are releasedand then conveyed by the air pressure within the drum through thedischarge tubes for planting.

In the form illustrated in FIGS. 6-10, the dispenser drum is indicatedby numeral 70 and defines an enclosed space 71 therein which ismaintained under a positive air pressure, above ambient, when thedispenser is operating. The drum 70 has an end wall 72 connected to adrive shaft 73 so as to revolve the drum from the ground wheels of theplanter. The drum has a single, cylindrical peripheral wall or shell 74with a plurality of openings or apertures 75 formed therein. Theapertures 75 are arranged in rows extending circumferentially of theperipheral wall 74 and in cross rows lying parallel to the axis of thedrum. The peripheral wall 74 is dimpled or recessed at 76 around theperiphery of each of the apertures 75, as best seen in FIG. 8. Therecess is substantially conically shaped and is of such a size that whena seed S is lodged in the aperture 75, another similarly sized seed willnot find it possible to become lodged in the same area adjacent therecess 76. Any extra seed which may be in the vicinity of the recess 76will simply fall by gravity from the peripheral wall 74 as the otherseed S remains lodged or seated in the aperture 75 under influence ofthe air pressure within the interior 71 of the drum.

The end edge 74a of the peripheral wall is engaged with an annularsealing ring 77 and is clamped in rigid position on the drum by aclamping ring 78 which is retained by studs and nuts 79 secured to theedge 74a of the peripheral wall.

The ring 78 may have a rigid and supporting ring 80 to engage thecircumferential edge of the stationary rigid closure plate 81 which issupported by brackets 81a from the frame of the planter. The plate 81cooperates with the shaft 73 in physically supporting the drum 70.

The plate 81 has the air delivery conduit 82 mounted thereon andextending therethrough to deliver air from a fan (illustrated at 400 inFIG. 1) into the interior 7] of the drum. The air duct 82 is cut awaywithin the drum 70, and a distributor duct 83 is attached to the duct 82for carrying the air outwardly and upwardly toward the peripheral wall74, and in the area of the wall where the wall is carrying the seeds Supwardly. The duct 83 is substantially rectangular in configuration asillustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, and carries an air directing baffle 84 atits outer end for causing the air to sweep across the openings in theperipheral wall 74 in order to sweep away any excess seeds that mightpossibly remain lodged.

The plate 81 also carries the inner end of a seed supply tube 85, theouter end of which is connected to the closed seed hopper, and the innerend of which extends into the bottom area of the drum, substantially asseen in FIG. 9, so as to maintain a constant supply of seeds in thebottom of the drum.

The plate 81 also carries theseed discharge tubes 86 which, as seen inFIGS. 7 and 9, are aligned with each other in a direction longitudinallyof the drum so as to respectively receive the seeds from each of theapertures in one transverse row. It will be noted that the upper inletends 86a of the discharge tubes confront the inner periphery of the wall74 in spaced relation. The tubes 86 extend outwardly through the wall 81in seated relation with the wall and are to be connected to the flexiblehoses or tubes of the type illustrated at 15 in FIG. 1 for depositingthe seeds in the rows. The positive air pressure in the interior 71 ofthe drum produces a rapid flow of air outwardly through the tubes 86 soas to carry the seeds rapidly through the tubes for planting behind thedigger shoes of the planter. It has been found that the air sweepinginto the tubes 86 as indicated by the arrows A in FIG. 9 causes theseeds in adjacent apertures 75 to be dislodged and carried directly intothe closest discharge tube 86. This has been observed to draw all of theseeds from the shell 74 into the tubes without necessarily closing theapertures 75.

It has been found desirable, in the form illustrated in FIGS. 6-10 as anaid to dislodging the seeds S from the apertures 75 to offset the effectof the pressure within the interior 71 so as to assure that the airsweeping in the direction A and into the tubes 86 causes dislodging ofthe seeds and, for this purpose, a plurality of soft, inflated rollers87 are mounted on a common axle 88 such that the rollers 87 roll uponthe outer surface of the shell 74 adjacent the tubes 86. The inflatedrollers 87 are rather soft so that the lower portion thereof deformssubstantially and engages a substantial area of the outer surface of theshell 74, along a circumferential length of the shell near the tubes 86.The axle 88 of the rollers 87 is mounted on a swingable subframe 89which is pivoted for vertical swinging at 89a to the frame 11 of theplanter. Of course, hard rubber rollers could be substituted for rollers87 in some applications of this device.

As an alternative aid to dislodging the seeds from the apertures 75,there is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, an air manifold 90 with aplurality of downwardly opening nozzles 91 directing streams of airagainst the outer surface of the shell 74 at a location adjacent thetubes 86 so that the stream of air counteracts the effect of thepressure within the interior chamber 71 of the drum when the seedcarrying apertures 75 of the drum pass beneath the nozzles 91, therebydislodging the seeds which are thereupon swept into the inlet ends ofthe tubes 86. This manifold 90 with the nozzles is to be used as analternative to the rollers 87 illustrated in the other figures.

In FIG. 13 appears the inner surface of the peripheral shell 92 of thedrum 93 of a modified form of the invention. The end wall 94 of the drumis connected as in the first form of the invention to the peripheralwall 92 of the drum. The peripheral wall 92 of the drum has a pluralityof openings or slots 95, which extend circumferentially of the wall 92so as to carry a row of seeds for discharge through the tubes 96 inrapid succession. The drum revolves in the direction of arrow R as seenin FIG. 14 over the inlet end of the ends of the tubes which aredisposed directly beneath the slots 95. As seen in FIG. 15, the shell 92is formed with a recess area adjacent the slots 95. The peripheral wall92 has its several annular segments held together by a plurality ofbridges or brackets 97 welded or otherwise affixed to the wall segmentsand bridging across the slots 95 at the outer side of the drum. It willbe recognized that the previously illustrated very soft rollers orstreams of air may be used in this form of the invention to aid indislodging the seeds adjacent the inlet ends of the tubes 96, and, inaddition, this form of the invention may employ a seedlifting finger 98mounted on the upper end of each of the tubes 96 and extending into thecorresponding slot 95 for lifting the seeds from the shell 92 andallowing the sweeping air to carry them into the inlet ends of the tubes96. This particular form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 13-l5 isparticularly suited to dispensing seeds which are to be dispensed inrapid succession, as for close planting along the crop row on theground. Typical of such class of seeds would by soybean seeds which aresupplied rapidly as the planter moves along the ground so that the seedsare very closely spaced together.

Whereas in the forms shown in FIGS. 6-15 the periphery shell of the drumis constructed of a single thickness of sheet metal, it will berecognized that the openings 75 and may take the form of air exhaustducts if the shell were of somewhat thicker or fabricated construction.Such ducts may extend in various directions for effecting air control;for example, the ducts from a cross row of apertures may be connectedtogether and into a manifold for simultaneously controlling exhaust airand release of the seeds or articles.

It will be seen that we have provided a seed dispenser for a planterwherein a single or double shell is used around the periphery of a drumor carrier wherein seeds are held in lodged condition in the aperturesby air pressure. Sweeping air adjacent the shell carries away excessseeds so that only the prescribed number are dispensed through thedischarge tubes through which the seeds are carried by air moving atsubstantial velocity as a result of the air pressure at the shell.Dislodging of the seeds from the openings in the drum periphery may beaided by knock fingers or pins or by the exterior rollers or airstreams, or by the. camming fingers in the case of the slotted drum.

What we claim is:

1. In a dispensing apparatus in which seed is deposited in a drum havinga periphery facing inwardly and transversely of the rotation axis, theperiphery having air pervious openings, each with an opening-enclosingperimetric edge portion and including means for directing seeds intosaid openings and holding a single seed on the perimetric edge portionof each of the openings, selecting means adjacent each of said openingsfor there creating an air pressure differential adjacent the interior ofthe drum to create an airflow around said opening and around the singleseed held in each of said openings and thereby carry the remaining seedsaway therefrom.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said selecting meansincludes an air chamber with an air discharge adjacent the periphery ofeach of said openings and directing air around and away from each ofsaid openings to remove all but one of a cluster of seeds collectedadjacent each of said openings at the interior surface of the drum.

3. In a dispensing apparatus in which seed is deposited in a drum havingopenings therein and including means for directing seeds into saidopenings and holding a single seed in each of the openings, selectingmeans adjacent each of said openings for there creating an air pressuredifferential adjacent the interior of the drum to create an airflowaround said opening and around the single seed held in each of saidopenings and thereby carry the remaining seeds away therefrom, said drumhaving a double wall, said openings being in the outer wall, the innerand outer walls being spaced to define an air pressure chamber, theinner walls being apertured at each of the openings to direct air aroundeach of said openings to remove all but one of a cluster of seedscollected adjacent each said opening at the interior of the drum.

4. In a seed-dispensing apparatus comprising in combination, a unitaryrotatable member having peripheral openings therein, means for supplyingseed interiorly thereof, means for rotating said member, pneumatic meansoperative within said member for creating a differential of pressurebetween the interior and exterior thereof whereby a cluster of seed isaccumulated at each of said openings, and means surrounding each of saidopenings at the interior of said member for directing a flow of airaround said opening to remove all but one seed therefrom.

5. A seed planter comprising in combination, a rotatable member havingopenings therein, means for supplying seed interiorly thereof, means forrotating said member, pneumatic means operative within said member forcreating a differential of pressure between the interior and exteriorthereof whereby a cluster of seed is accumulated at each of saidopenings, means surrounding each said opening at the interior of saidmember for directing a flow of air around each of said openings toremove all but one seed therefrom, means to positively dislodge saidseeds in said openings, means to direct seeds so dislodged topredetermined locations, and said pneumatic means cooperating with saidlast-mentioned means to create an airflow therethrough.

6. In a dispensing apparatusin which seed is deposited in openings inthe periphery of a rotatable member, a single means creating airpressure differentials adjacent each of said openings for producing anairflow through the opening to seat a seed therein and to also produceairflow around said opening when a single seed is held in each of saidopenings to sweep the remaining seeds away, said rotatable member havinga double wall on the periphery thereof, the outer wall having saidopenings therein, said means including the inner wall having an apertureat each of the openings, the inner and outer walls defining an airchamber from which air is directed around each of said openings when asingle seed is held in each of said openings and the remaining seeds arecarried away therefrom.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 and the inner wall being conicallytapered around each of the apertures and toward the outer wall.

8. In a seed-dispensing apparatus comprising in combina tion, arotatable member having an outer peripheral wall with openings therein,means for supplying seed within the interior of said rotatable member,means for rotating said member, an inner peripheral wall on saidrotatable member and confronting said outer peripheral wall and definingan air manifold therebetween, said inner peripheral wall having aplurality of apertures substantially concentric with said openings andfacilitating seating of seeds in said openings, and means creating anair pressure within the interior of said rotatable member and an airflowoutwardly through said openings to retain the seeds therein and alsocreating an air pressure differential between said air manifold and theinterior of the rotatable member and a secondary airflow through saidapertures and at the peripheries of said openings into the interior tosweep away excess seeds from said openings.

9. In the apparatus according to claim 8, said inner wall being recessedat the periphery of said apertures and toward the outer wall and therebyminimize wedging of seeds in clusters in said apertures.

10. In the apparatus according to claim 9, said outer wall beingrecessed at the peripheries of said openings and inwardly toward saidinner wall whereby to direct the air from the air manifold through saidaperture in the inner wall and along the seed to sweep away the excessseeds.

lll. A dispensing apparatus in which flowable material is deposited in adrum with a periphery upon which the flowable material is carriedupwardly as the drum rotates, a stationary discharge tube having anopen-inlet end within the drum and adjacent the material carryingperiphery and receiving such material from the periphery, and meanscreating a positive air pressure within the drum and producing anairflow outwardly through the tube for conveying the flowable materialoutwardly therethrough.

12. A dispensing apparatus in which seeds are deposited in a drum withopenings in the periphery thereof and carrying the seeds upwardly as thedrum rotates, a stationary discharge tube having an open inlet endwithin the drum and adjacent the seed carrying periphery to receive theseeds from the drum periphery, and means creating a positive airpressure within the drum and whereby producing seed retaining airflowoutwardly through the drum periphery openings and also producing seedconveying airflow outwardly through the tube.

13. In a dispensing apparatus in which seed is deposited in a drumhaving openings therein and including means for directing seeds intosaid openings and holding a single seed in each of the openings,selecting means adjacent each of said openings for there creating an airpressure differential adjacent the interior of the drum to create anairflow around said opening and around the single seedl held in each ofsaid openings and thereby carry the remaining seeds away therefrom, anobstruction at the exterior of the drum and confronting each of saidopenings and preventing passage of seeds through and away from theopening while permitting airflow outwardly therethrough, the obstructionconfronting each of said openings comprising a seed ejector movabletoward the opening to engage and dislodge the seed carried therein.

14. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articlescomprising a revolvable carrier having a periphery with openings thereincapable of carrying said articles toward the inlet of at least onearticle discharge passage, means creating and applying asuperatmospheric air pressure against said periphery and against thearticles in said openings to hold the articles in the openings fordelivery to said inlet.

15. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articlescomprising a revolvable carrier having an endless periphery withopenings therethrough capable of carrying and moving said articles asthe carrier is revolved, means applying a superatmospheric air pressureagainst said periphery and against the articles in the openings to holdthe articles in the openings, and discharge means adjacent the carrierfor receiving the articles delivered thereby and discharging thearticles away from the carrier.

16. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 15 and each of theopenings being a discrete aperture in which a single seed is lodged andheld under influence of the superatmospheric air pressure,

17. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 15 and said openingsbeing elongate slots extending circumferentially of the carrierperiphery and carrying seeds in rows to the discharge means.

18. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 15 and each of theopenings including perforate means, the periphery having a recessedportion surrounding each of said perforate means positioned forreceiving one of said discrete small articles in seating relation.

19. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 16 and said periphery ofthe structure having recessed portions surrounding the apertures forreceiving said discrete small articles in said apertures in seatingrelation.

20. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articlescomprising a revolvable carrier having an endless periphery withopenings therethrough capable of carrying and moving said articles asthe carrier is revolved, means applying a superatmospheric air pressureagainst said periphery and against the articles in the openings to holdthe articles in the openings, discharge means adjacent the carrier forreceiving the articles delivered thereby and discharging the articlesaway from the carrier, and release means for releasing said articlesfrom said openings delivery to said discharge means.

21. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articlescomprising a carrier having a movable endless peripheral surface capableof carrying said articles toward the open inlet end of at least onedischarge tube leading away from said peripheral surface, means creatinga positive air pressure producing airflow through said tubes forconveying said articles away from said carrier, said peripheral surfacehaving openings in which said articles are held by said positive airpressure.

22. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articlescomprising a structure having a movable endless peripheral surfacecapable of carrying said articles toward the open inlet end of at leastone discharge tube leading away from said peripheral surface, meanscreating a positive air pressure producing air through said tubes forconveying said articles away from said structure, said peripheralsurface having openings in which said articles are held by said positiveair pressure, and release means for releasing said articles from saidopenings for delivery to said discharge tubes.

23. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articles,comprising in combination an article discharge passage having an inletinto and through which articles are adapted to enter the passage fordischarge therethrough, a revolvable carrier structure having obverseand reverse peripheries of which the obverse periphery has recess meanstherein for receiving said articles and said structure also has ductmeans communicating between said recess means and the reverse periphery,said recess means being disposed relatively to the passage inlet tosuccessively advance the received articles into contiguity with saidinlet pursuant to the revolving motion of said structure, means forrevolving said structure, means for creating an air pressuredifferential between said peripheries pursuant to creatingsuperatmospheric air pressure on the obverse periphery for releasablyholding the articles in the recess means contiguous to said duct meansas the soheld articles advance relatively to said passage inlet, andmeans operable in timed relation with revolving motion of the structureto effect escape of the advancing articles from the recesses into saidpassage inlet.

24. The combination set forth in claim 23, wherein the lastmentionedmeans comprises a sealing structure adapted to restrict saidcommunication with a portion of said reverse periphery to interrupt saidair pressure differential at a portion of the recess means disposed in aposition to have advanced articles therein in contiguity with the inletof the article discharge package.

25. The combination set forth in claim 23, wherein said last mentionedmeans comprises an ejecting structure adapted to eject the articles fromthe recess means.

26. The combination set forth in claim 23, wherein the discharge passageinlet is subjected to said superatmospheric air pressure for creating anairstream discharging through said passage for propelling the escapedarticles therethrough which have entered the passage inlet.

27. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articles,comprising in combination an article discharge passage having an inletinto and through which articles are adapted to enter the passage fordischarge therethrough, a revolvable carrier structure having aperiphery with recess means therein having article-receiving portionsdisposed relatively to the passage inlet to advance with receivedarticles seated therein successively toward contiguity with said passageinlet pursuant to the revolving motion of said structure, said structurehaving air exhaust duct means communicating with said articlereceivingportions, means for establishing through the duct means an air pressuredifferential between the article-receiving portions and the duct meansattendant to creating superatmospheric air pressure on said peripheryand on articles seated in the article-receiving portions to releasablyhold the articles in such portions while such held articles are advancedby the revolving structure, and means operable in timed relation withthe revolving motion of said structure to effect escape of the advancingarticles from the article-receiving portions into said passage inlet,and said last-named means including a sealing structure adapted torestrict airflow through said exhaust duct means from the advancingarticle-receiving portions to diminish said air pressure differentialsubstantially coincident with such portions attaining said contiguitywith the passage inlet.

28. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small ars ticles,comprising in combination an article discharge passage having an inletinto and through which articles are adapted to enter the passage fordischarge therethrough, a revolvable carrier structure having aperiphery with article-receiving recesses therein disposed relatively tothe passage inlet to advance with said articles therein successivelytoward contiguity with said inlet pursuant to revolving motion of saidstructure, means for revolving said structure, said structure having airexhaust ducts communicating with said recesses, means including saidducts for establishing an air pressure differential between saidrecesses and the ducts attendant to creating superatmospheric airpressure on said periphery and on articles in said recesses toreleasably hold the articles in said recesses while such held articlesare advanced by the revolving structure, and means operable in timedrelation with the revolving motion of said structure to effect escape ofthe advancing articles from the recesses into said passage inlet, andsaid lastnamed means including a sealing structure adapted to restrictflow of air from said advancing recesses through said ducts to diminishsaid air pressure differential substantially coincident with therecesses attaining contiguity with said passage inlet.

29. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articlescomprising a rotatable drum with a periphery capable of carrying saidarticles to the open inlet ends of discharge tubes leading away from thedrum, means creating a positive air pressure within the drum andproducing airflow through the tubes for conveying said articles awayfrom the drum, the drum having a shell defining the periphery thereofand having openings in which said articles are held by the positive airpressure for delivery to the discharge tubes.

30. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 29 and each of theopenings being a discrete aperture in which a single discrete smallarticle is lodged and held under influence of the positive air pressure.

31. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 29 and said openingsbeing in the form of elongate slots extending circumferentially of thedrum periphery and carrying said discrete small articles side by side incontinuous rows to the discharge tubes.

32. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 30 and the shell havingrecessed portions surrounding the apertures for receiving said discretesmall articles in said apertures in seating relation.

33. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 30 and means directingmoving air within the drum and across the apertures carrying saiddiscrete small articles to sweep away excess articles.

34. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 29 and ad ditionalrelease means positioned adjacent the tubes and reducing the effect ofthe air pressure on the discrete small articles and thereby dislodgingthe articles for delivery into the inlet ends of the tubes.

35. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 34 and the openings inthe drums being in the form of elongate slots extendingcircumferentially of the drum periphery, and said additional releasemeans comprising lifting fingers adjacent the tubes and in the slotspositioned for dislodging the articles for delivery to the inlet ends ofthe discharge tubes.

36. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 30 and means positionedat the periphery of the shell and adjacent the discharge tubes foroffsetting the effect of the air pressure within the drum to release thearticles from the apertures for delivery to the inlet ends of thedischarge tubes.

37. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 30 and including rollersengaging the outer periphery of the shell adjacent the discharge tubesfor successively closing the apertures to allow said articles to bedislodged and carried into the inlet ends of the discharge tubes.

38. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said rollersare of soft and inflated construction to deform to the shape of theshell.

39. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 30 and air jet meansdirecting air against the outer side of the shell adjacent the dischargetubes to dislodge the said articles in the apertures for delivery to theinlet ends of the discharge tubes.

40. A dispensing apparatus for seeds comprising an enclosed drum with aperiphery carrying seeds upwardly to the open inlet ends of stationarydischarge tubes extending outwardly of the drum, means creating apositive air pressure within the drum and producing airflow outwardlythrough the tubes for conveying the seeds from the drum, the drum havinga single shell defining the periphery and having openings in which theseeds are held by the positive air pressure for delivery to thedischarge tubes, said shell having recesses surrounding the openings andreceiving the seeds which are seated in the openings.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION patent NO,3,637,108 Da ed January 25, 1972 Inventofls) Leo J. Loesch and Claude E.Loesch It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In claim 20, line 41, after "openings", insert for--.

In claim 22, line 57, after "air" insert --flow-.

Signed and sealed this 29th day of August 1972.

(SEAL) Atte st I EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK AttestingOfficer Commissioner of Patents FORM PC4050 USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 [1.5,GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFlCEI I969 0-366-334

1. In a dispensing apparatus in which seed is deposited in a drum having a periphery facing inwardly And transversely of the rotation axis, the periphery having air pervious openings, each with an opening-enclosing perimetric edge portion and including means for directing seeds into said openings and holding a single seed on the perimetric edge portion of each of the openings, selecting means adjacent each of said openings for there creating an air pressure differential adjacent the interior of the drum to create an airflow around said opening and around the single seed held in each of said openings and thereby carry the remaining seeds away therefrom.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said selecting means includes an air chamber with an air discharge adjacent the periphery of each of said openings and directing air around and away from each of said openings to remove all but one of a cluster of seeds collected adjacent each of said openings at the interior surface of the drum.
 3. In a dispensing apparatus in which seed is deposited in a drum having openings therein and including means for directing seeds into said openings and holding a single seed in each of the openings, selecting means adjacent each of said openings for there creating an air pressure differential adjacent the interior of the drum to create an airflow around said opening and around the single seed held in each of said openings and thereby carry the remaining seeds away therefrom, said drum having a double wall, said openings being in the outer wall, the inner and outer walls being spaced to define an air pressure chamber, the inner walls being apertured at each of the openings to direct air around each of said openings to remove all but one of a cluster of seeds collected adjacent each said opening at the interior of the drum.
 4. In a seed-dispensing apparatus comprising in combination, a unitary rotatable member having peripheral openings therein, means for supplying seed interiorly thereof, means for rotating said member, pneumatic means operative within said member for creating a differential of pressure between the interior and exterior thereof whereby a cluster of seed is accumulated at each of said openings, and means surrounding each of said openings at the interior of said member for directing a flow of air around said opening to remove all but one seed therefrom.
 5. A seed planter comprising in combination, a rotatable member having openings therein, means for supplying seed interiorly thereof, means for rotating said member, pneumatic means operative within said member for creating a differential of pressure between the interior and exterior thereof whereby a cluster of seed is accumulated at each of said openings, means surrounding each said opening at the interior of said member for directing a flow of air around each of said openings to remove all but one seed therefrom, means to positively dislodge said seeds in said openings, means to direct seeds so dislodged to predetermined locations, and said pneumatic means cooperating with said last-mentioned means to create an airflow therethrough.
 6. In a dispensing apparatus in which seed is deposited in openings in the periphery of a rotatable member, a single means creating air pressure differentials adjacent each of said openings for producing an airflow through the opening to seat a seed therein and to also produce airflow around said opening when a single seed is held in each of said openings to sweep the remaining seeds away, said rotatable member having a double wall on the periphery thereof, the outer wall having said openings therein, said means including the inner wall having an aperture at each of the openings, the inner and outer walls defining an air chamber from which air is directed around each of said openings when a single seed is held in each of said openings and the remaining seeds are carried away therefrom.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 6 and the inner wall being conically tapered around each of the apertures and toward the outer wall.
 8. In a seed-dispensing apparatus comprising in combination, a rotatable member having an outer peripheral wall with openings therein, means for supplying seed within the interior of said rotatable member, means for rotating said member, an inner peripheral wall on said rotatable member and confronting said outer peripheral wall and defining an air manifold therebetween, said inner peripheral wall having a plurality of apertures substantially concentric with said openings and facilitating seating of seeds in said openings, and means creating an air pressure within the interior of said rotatable member and an airflow outwardly through said openings to retain the seeds therein and also creating an air pressure differential between said air manifold and the interior of the rotatable member and a secondary airflow through said apertures and at the peripheries of said openings into the interior to sweep away excess seeds from said openings.
 9. In the apparatus according to claim 8, said inner wall being recessed at the periphery of said apertures and toward the outer wall and thereby minimize wedging of seeds in clusters in said apertures.
 10. In the apparatus according to claim 9, said outer wall being recessed at the peripheries of said openings and inwardly toward said inner wall whereby to direct the air from the air manifold through said aperture in the inner wall and along the seed to sweep away the excess seeds.
 11. A dispensing apparatus in which flowable material is deposited in a drum with a periphery upon which the flowable material is carried upwardly as the drum rotates, a stationary discharge tube having an open-inlet end within the drum and adjacent the material carrying periphery and receiving such material from the periphery, and means creating a positive air pressure within the drum and producing an airflow outwardly through the tube for conveying the flowable material outwardly therethrough.
 12. A dispensing apparatus in which seeds are deposited in a drum with openings in the periphery thereof and carrying the seeds upwardly as the drum rotates, a stationary discharge tube having an open inlet end within the drum and adjacent the seed carrying periphery to receive the seeds from the drum periphery, and means creating a positive air pressure within the drum and whereby producing seed retaining airflow outwardly through the drum periphery openings and also producing seed conveying airflow outwardly through the tube.
 13. In a dispensing apparatus in which seed is deposited in a drum having openings therein and including means for directing seeds into said openings and holding a single seed in each of the openings, selecting means adjacent each of said openings for there creating an air pressure differential adjacent the interior of the drum to create an airflow around said opening and around the single seed held in each of said openings and thereby carry the remaining seeds away therefrom, an obstruction at the exterior of the drum and confronting each of said openings and preventing passage of seeds through and away from the opening while permitting airflow outwardly therethrough, the obstruction confronting each of said openings comprising a seed ejector movable toward the opening to engage and dislodge the seed carried therein.
 14. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articles comprising a revolvable carrier having a periphery with openings therein capable of carrying said articles toward the inlet of at least one article discharge passage, means creating and applying a superatmospheric air pressure against said periphery and against the articles in said openings to hold the articles in the openings for delivery to said inlet.
 15. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articles comprising a revolvable carrier having an endless periphery with openings therethrough capable of carrying and moving said articles as the carrier is revolved, means applying a superatmospheric air pressure against said periphery and against the articles in the openings to hold the articleS in the openings, and discharge means adjacent the carrier for receiving the articles delivered thereby and discharging the articles away from the carrier.
 16. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 15 and each of the openings being a discrete aperture in which a single seed is lodged and held under influence of the superatmospheric air pressure.
 17. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 15 and said openings being elongate slots extending circumferentially of the carrier periphery and carrying seeds in rows to the discharge means.
 18. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 15 and each of the openings including perforate means, the periphery having a recessed portion surrounding each of said perforate means positioned for receiving one of said discrete small articles in seating relation.
 19. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 16 and said periphery of the structure having recessed portions surrounding the apertures for receiving said discrete small articles in said apertures in seating relation.
 20. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articles comprising a revolvable carrier having an endless periphery with openings therethrough capable of carrying and moving said articles as the carrier is revolved, means applying a superatmospheric air pressure against said periphery and against the articles in the openings to hold the articles in the openings, discharge means adjacent the carrier for receiving the articles delivered thereby and discharging the articles away from the carrier, and release means for releasing said articles from said openings delivery to said discharge means.
 21. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articles comprising a carrier having a movable endless peripheral surface capable of carrying said articles toward the open inlet end of at least one discharge tube leading away from said peripheral surface, means creating a positive air pressure producing airflow through said tubes for conveying said articles away from said carrier, said peripheral surface having openings in which said articles are held by said positive air pressure.
 22. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articles comprising a structure having a movable endless peripheral surface capable of carrying said articles toward the open inlet end of at least one discharge tube leading away from said peripheral surface, means creating a positive air pressure producing air through said tubes for conveying said articles away from said structure, said peripheral surface having openings in which said articles are held by said positive air pressure, and release means for releasing said articles from said openings for delivery to said discharge tubes.
 23. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articles, comprising in combination an article discharge passage having an inlet into and through which articles are adapted to enter the passage for discharge therethrough, a revolvable carrier structure having obverse and reverse peripheries of which the obverse periphery has recess means therein for receiving said articles and said structure also has duct means communicating between said recess means and the reverse periphery, said recess means being disposed relatively to the passage inlet to successively advance the received articles into contiguity with said inlet pursuant to the revolving motion of said structure, means for revolving said structure, means for creating an air pressure differential between said peripheries pursuant to creating superatmospheric air pressure on the obverse periphery for releasably holding the articles in the recess means contiguous to said duct means as the so-held articles advance relatively to said passage inlet, and means operable in timed relation with revolving motion of the structure to effect escape of the advancing articles from the recesses into said passage inlet.
 24. The combination set forth in claim 23, wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a sealing structure adapted to restrict said communication with a portion of said reverse periphery to interrupt said air pressure differential at a portion of the recess means disposed in a position to have advanced articles therein in contiguity with the inlet of the article discharge package.
 25. The combination set forth in claim 23, wherein said last mentioned means comprises an ejecting structure adapted to eject the articles from the recess means.
 26. The combination set forth in claim 23, wherein the discharge passage inlet is subjected to said superatmospheric air pressure for creating an airstream discharging through said passage for propelling the escaped articles therethrough which have entered the passage inlet.
 27. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articles, comprising in combination an article discharge passage having an inlet into and through which articles are adapted to enter the passage for discharge therethrough, a revolvable carrier structure having a periphery with recess means therein having article-receiving portions disposed relatively to the passage inlet to advance with received articles seated therein successively toward contiguity with said passage inlet pursuant to the revolving motion of said structure, said structure having air exhaust duct means communicating with said article-receiving portions, means for establishing through the duct means an air pressure differential between the article-receiving portions and the duct means attendant to creating superatmospheric air pressure on said periphery and on articles seated in the article-receiving portions to releasably hold the articles in such portions while such held articles are advanced by the revolving structure, and means operable in timed relation with the revolving motion of said structure to effect escape of the advancing articles from the article-receiving portions into said passage inlet, and said last-named means including a sealing structure adapted to restrict airflow through said exhaust duct means from the advancing article-receiving portions to diminish said air pressure differential substantially coincident with such portions attaining said contiguity with the passage inlet.
 28. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articles, comprising in combination an article discharge passage having an inlet into and through which articles are adapted to enter the passage for discharge therethrough, a revolvable carrier structure having a periphery with article-receiving recesses therein disposed relatively to the passage inlet to advance with said articles therein successively toward contiguity with said inlet pursuant to revolving motion of said structure, means for revolving said structure, said structure having air exhaust ducts communicating with said recesses, means including said ducts for establishing an air pressure differential between said recesses and the ducts attendant to creating superatmospheric air pressure on said periphery and on articles in said recesses to releasably hold the articles in said recesses while such held articles are advanced by the revolving structure, and means operable in timed relation with the revolving motion of said structure to effect escape of the advancing articles from the recesses into said passage inlet, and said last-named means including a sealing structure adapted to restrict flow of air from said advancing recesses through said ducts to diminish said air pressure differential substantially coincident with the recesses attaining contiguity with said passage inlet.
 29. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete small articles comprising a rotatable drum with a periphery capable of carrying said articles to the open inlet ends of discharge tubes leading away from the drum, means creating a positive air pressure within the drum and producing airflow through the tubes for conveying said articles away from the drum, the drum having a shell defining the periphery thereof and having openinGs in which said articles are held by the positive air pressure for delivery to the discharge tubes.
 30. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 29 and each of the openings being a discrete aperture in which a single discrete small article is lodged and held under influence of the positive air pressure.
 31. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 29 and said openings being in the form of elongate slots extending circumferentially of the drum periphery and carrying said discrete small articles side by side in continuous rows to the discharge tubes.
 32. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 30 and the shell having recessed portions surrounding the apertures for receiving said discrete small articles in said apertures in seating relation.
 33. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 30 and means directing moving air within the drum and across the apertures carrying said discrete small articles to sweep away excess articles.
 34. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 29 and additional release means positioned adjacent the tubes and reducing the effect of the air pressure on the discrete small articles and thereby dislodging the articles for delivery into the inlet ends of the tubes.
 35. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 34 and the openings in the drums being in the form of elongate slots extending circumferentially of the drum periphery, and said additional release means comprising lifting fingers adjacent the tubes and in the slots positioned for dislodging the articles for delivery to the inlet ends of the discharge tubes.
 36. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 30 and means positioned at the periphery of the shell and adjacent the discharge tubes for offsetting the effect of the air pressure within the drum to release the articles from the apertures for delivery to the inlet ends of the discharge tubes.
 37. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 30 and including rollers engaging the outer periphery of the shell adjacent the discharge tubes for successively closing the apertures to allow said articles to be dislodged and carried into the inlet ends of the discharge tubes.
 38. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said rollers are of soft and inflated construction to deform to the shape of the shell.
 39. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 30 and air jet means directing air against the outer side of the shell adjacent the discharge tubes to dislodge the said articles in the apertures for delivery to the inlet ends of the discharge tubes.
 40. A dispensing apparatus for seeds comprising an enclosed drum with a periphery carrying seeds upwardly to the open inlet ends of stationary discharge tubes extending outwardly of the drum, means creating a positive air pressure within the drum and producing airflow outwardly through the tubes for conveying the seeds from the drum, the drum having a single shell defining the periphery and having openings in which the seeds are held by the positive air pressure for delivery to the discharge tubes, said shell having recesses surrounding the openings and receiving the seeds which are seated in the openings. 